Season 1
Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: May 7, 2009
Bravo's newest creative competition series, The Fashion Show, follows 15 professional designers as they compete for a chance to have America choose who will win a $125,000 prize and have their designs sold in the retail market. In the premiere, the designers meet their hosts and judges, internationally acclaimed designer Isaac Mizrahi, four-time Grammy Award-winning performer and actress Kelly Rowland, and fashion luminary and Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion, Fern Mallis. The designers are put to the test, facing off in two challenges – the Harper's Bazaar Mini Challenge, judged by the magazine's Special Projects Director Laura Brown, and the elimination challenge. The winning design from each elimination challenge will be available for purchase on BravoTV.com. Guest Judge: Elie Tahari
Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: May 14, 2009
For the Harper's Bazaar mini-challenge, the age old adage "one doesn't have to spend a lot of money to look good" is put to the test, as the remaining designers are challenged to style two dress forms, one for a "budget" look, and the other for a "bank" look. For the elimination challenge, the designers work in teams to create a variety of garments for socialite Tinsley Mortimer's upcoming events. Operating under a strict budget, the teams are responsible for designing a cohesive look – from head to toe – that corresponds with Mortimer's high society fashion needs. The winning design will be available for purchase on BravoTV.com. Guest Judge: Tinsley Mortimer
Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: May 21, 2009
Every designer needs to have a few tricks up their sleeve and in this week's Harper's Bazaar mini-challenge the designers need to prove they know the tricks of the trade in a "repair relay race." In the elimination challenge, the designers must collaborate and create a unified line of coats that cohesively addresses every season — Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Guest Judge: Norma Kamali
Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: May 28, 2009
In the fourth episode of The Fashion Show shoes really are a girl's best friend. In the Harper's Bazaar mini-challenge, fashion and functionality unite with an eco-friendly challenge that asks the designers to create a new print for Olsenhaus pure vegan shoes. The elimination challenge tackles a common problem women encounter – falling in love with a hot pair of shoes only to realize you have nothing to wear with them. The contestants are surprised with a trip to the international mecca of jaw-dropping shoes, the Bergdorf Goodman shoe salon. Each designer selects an avant-garde pair of high-end shoes, and must design the perfect complimentary outfit to be worn with their killer heels. Guest Judge: George Malkemus; President of Manolo Blahnik USA
Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Jun 4, 2009
Having an eye for detail can make or break any designer and in this week's Harper's Bazaar Mini Challenge, the designers vision is really put to the test. The elimination challenge this week is all about shape and proportion. Using padding and body enhancing fabrics that lift and flatten, the designers will need to help hide real-women's problem areas while enhancing their assets. Guest Judge: Stylist Rebecca Weinberg.
Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Jun 11, 2009
The designers are going back to school in this week's episode of "The Fashion Show," airing Thursday, June 11 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, where both the Harper's Bazaar mini challenge and the elimination challenge will put their knowledge to the test. The designs, inspired by different high school cliques, will be displayed in this week's fashion show and graded on its wearability and appeal. Fashion designer Charlotte Ronson joins Isaac Mizrahi, Kelly Rowland and Fern Mallis on the judges panel. The winning design will be available for purchase on BravoTV.com. For a sneak peek at this week's episode, go to: http://www.bravotv.com/the-fashion-show/videos/student-body-president.
Episode: 1x07 | Airdate: Jun 18, 2009
Actress and fashionista, Becki Newton (Ugly Betty) stops by and presents this week's Harper's Bazaar Mini Challenge - create a solution for the age-old dilemma – the "walk of shame." Challenged to turn last night's party outfit into work appropriate attire, the contestants get crafty with anything and everything one would normally find in an office. For the elimination challenge, the designers are taken to a surprise location and find themselves working for a major force in the fashion industry. Harper's Bazaar Mini-Challenge Guest Judge: Becki Newton Elimination Challenge Guest Judge: Veronica Webb
Episode: 1x08 | Airdate: Jun 25, 2009
Fashion is cyclical, so learning from past designers is as important as having the vision to create new trends. To assess their knowledge, Mizrahi, Rowland, and Harper's Bazaar's Laura Brown test the designers on fashion icons. The contestants are then challenged to create a complete look inspired by a signature piece from fashion icons such as Dior, Balenciaga, and Halston. Using a signature piece from a legendary artist's repertoire as inspiration, the contestants must create a complete look. Guest Judge: Peter Som
Episode: 1x09 | Airdate: Jul 1, 2009
The remaining designers are challenged to create loungewear to complement designer Fernando Sanchez's top selling luxury robes. The winning creation will be sold at Saks Fifth Avenue and that designer will have an advantage in the elimination round. Questioning their fate, the contestants are whisked to a Tarot card who predicts their future in the competition. They come to find that this experience will have more of an effect on their resulting design than they originally imagined. Guest Judge: Vivienne Tam
Episode: 1x10 | Airdate: Jul 9, 2009
The pressure is on in this Harper's Bazaar Mini Challenge, as the contestants must master the art of draping, one of the most difficult and revered skills in the design world. Isabel Toledo, the queen of draping, stops by to judge. In the elimination challenge, the designers really need to shine. Swarovski crystals play a crucial role in the designers' task of creating a standout red carpet gown that would get any client on the best-dressed list. Harper's Bazaar Mini-Challenge Guest Judge: Isabel Toledo Elimination Challenge Guest Judge: Glenda Bailey, Editor in Chief, Harper's Bazaar
Episode: 1x11 | Airdate: Jul 16, 2009
The remaining contestants compete for a chance to win the $125,000 prize and have their designs sold in the retail market. America votes for a winner.
Episode: 1x12 | Airdate: Jul 23, 2009
America chooses the winning designer.
Season 2
Episode: 2x01 | Airdate: Nov 9, 2010
In the season two premiere, 12 designers arrive in New York City to compete for the chance to win a prize of $125,000. After meeting the judges – fashion icon Iman, internationally acclaimed designer Isaac Mizrahi and Special Projects Director at Harper's Bazaar Laura Brown - they are shocked to learn that for the duration of the competition they will be split into two teams and competing as dueling fashion houses. In their very first challenge, each house must create a complete and cohesive line inspired by the fashion career of Iman. Guest Judge: Fashion designer Rachel Roy
Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: Nov 16, 2010
The designers are in need of a "self examination" when they are challenged to complete a line inspired by the inner workings of the human body. While one house struggles, the other house works seamlessly together as they create reversible looks that mirror the traveling Bodies Exhibit®. Guest Judge: Photographer Douglas Friedman
Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: Nov 23, 2010
This week's challenge is to make a collection for a modern day femme fatale, and the designs must be appropriate for night clubs, lairs and other after-hours haunts. While the designers get into touch with their inner seductress, they must also adapt to some changes. Guest Judge: Model and actress Dita Von Tesse
Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Nov 30, 2010
The designers go back to the future this week. After meeting Iman at the National History Museum, they each select a time capsule containing items and accessories from a specific year. While going back in time to get their inspiration, the challenge is to create a new, fashion-forward looks that incorporate that timeless pattern, plaid. Guest Judge: Model Anja Rubik
Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Dec 14, 2010
Worlds collide and the competition starts to get "real" as the designers are assigned talent from "The Real Housewives" for a major make-under. Guest Judge: Author, television writer, and producer Susan Fales-Hill
Episode: 2x06 | Airdate: Dec 21, 2010
The designers take a field trip to New Jersey where they are granted access to the lost and found area at Hoboken train station. From these items, each house must present a cohesive collection of weekend looks. Guest Judge: Fashion Designer Chris Benz
Episode: 2x07 | Airdate: Jan 4, 2011
The remaining designers head to the altar, as they are asked to create a fashionable look for gay couples about to tie the knot. Guest Judges: Celebrity Stylist Rachel Zoe and Fashion Icon Johnny Weir
Episode: 2x08 | Airdate: Jan 11, 2011
The remaining designers get a lesson from the Creative Director at Barney's New York, Simon Doonan, who schools them about the importance of using vintage accessories to create eccentric designs. The designers are inspired making the fashion and competition fiercer than ever. Guest Judge: Barney's Creative Director Simon Doonan
Episode: 2x09 | Airdate: Jan 18, 2011
With just one more challenge left, the pressure is on the remaining designers to deliver their best work if they want to make it to the finale. Inspiration takes them back to the basics as they must create looks based on earth, wind, and water. Guest Judge: Fashion Designer Giles Mendes
Episode: 2x10 | Airdate: Jan 25, 2011
There are no more fashion houses, just individual designers going head to head. Each remaining contestant presents a complete collection of cohesive looks for the chance to win $125,000 furnished by TRESemmé. Who will have the Ultimate Collection? Guest Judge: Harper's Bazaar Editors in Chief Glenda Bailey and Grammy–Award winning recording artist and Mary J. Blige